JEMPOL: The government is launching “Kedai Rakyat 1 Malaysia (KR1M) 2.0” or the 1Malaysia People’s Shop 2.0 soon to reduce the cost of living of the people, said Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said.

However, he said the ministry had yet to decide on the criteria to be complied by the KR1M 2.0 operator.

He said discussion would be held with KR1M operator, MRT Retail Sdn Bhd , which is a subsidiary of Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd, before deciding the matter.

“Most important is when the KR1M operator says they cannot afford no more, then we have to find a new one who can ensure this KR1M programme will be better than the existing one,” he said after opening the Jempol UMNO divisional delegates conference here today.

He denied claims that that the government did not provide assistance to the operator of KR1M.

Earlier in his speech, Hamzah said he agreed with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to terminate the contract of KR1M operator for selling its goods at above the market price.

“We want KR1M 2.0 to be better at helping the Malaysian people,” he said, adding that the matter had been discussed by the cabinet.

KR1M , which was mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in June 2011, was aimed at reducing the people’s burden and well as to help market products by local operators of Small and Medium Enterprises. - Bernama